U.S. patent application number 13/735627 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for system and method for network detection and selection.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Hinghung Anthony Chan, Kaidi Huang, John Kaippallimalil, Khosrow Tony Saboorian, Zhixian Xiang.
Application Number | 20130308445 13/735627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49581217 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130308445 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Xiang; Zhixian ; et
al. |
November 21, 2013 |
System and Method for Network Detection and Selection
Abstract
An embodiment method for network detection and selection
includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a network detection
and selection policy including a load threshold element, the UE
further receiving load information element from an access network
(AN), and applying the network detection and selection policy to
the AN.
Inventors: |
Xiang; Zhixian; (Plano,
TX) ; Kaippallimalil; John; (Richardson, TX) ;
Chan; Hinghung Anthony; (Plano, TX) ; Saboorian;
Khosrow Tony; (Plano, TX) ; Huang; Kaidi;
(Chengdu, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUTUREWEI TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Plano
TX
|
Family ID: |
49581217 |
Appl. No.: |
13/735627 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61647287 |
May 15, 2012 |
|
|
|
61665712 |
Jun 28, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/230 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 48/18 20130101;
H04W 28/08 20130101; H04W 28/0231 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/230 |
International
Class: |
H04W 28/02 20060101
H04W028/02 |
Claims
1. A method for network selection comprising: receiving, by a user
equipment (UE), a network detection and selection policy comprising
a load threshold element; receiving, by the UE, a load information
element associated with an access network (AN); applying the
network detection and selection policy to the AN, wherein applying
the network detection and selection policy comprises comparing a
load level indicated by information element with the load threshold
element.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the load threshold element is a
wide area network (WAN) traffic load threshold element and the load
information element is a WAN traffic load information element.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving, by the UE, WAN traffic
load information element comprises using an access network query
protocol of the AN to obtain the WAN traffic load information
element.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising calculating the load
level, by the UE, using the WAN traffic load information
element.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the WAN traffic load information
element includes WAN backhaul uplink load information, backhaul
downlink load information, backhaul uplink speed information,
backhaul downlink speed information, backhaul uplink bandwidth
information, backhaul downlink bandwidth information, or a
combination thereof.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the load threshold element is an
air-interface load threshold element and the load information
element is an air-interface load information element.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the air-interface load threshold
element is a basic service set (BSS) load threshold element and the
air-interface load information element is a basic service set (BSS)
load information element.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the air-interface threshold
element is an air-interface quality of service (QoS) threshold
element and wherein the air-interface load level indicated by the
air-interface load information element is an expected air-interface
QoS to the UE at the AN calculated from the air-interface load
information element.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the air-interface load
information element comprises information on a number of UEs
associated with the AN, a channel utilization percentage of the AN,
a remaining admission control time available to the UE, or a
combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving, by the UE, the
air-interface load information element comprises using a beacon or
probe response frame of the AN to obtain the air-interface load
information element.
11. The method of claim 6, wherein the network detection and
selection policy further comprises an air-interface load threshold
evaluation period, and wherein applying the network detection and
selection policy to the AN comprises applying the network detection
and selection policy during the air-interface load threshold
evaluation period.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the network detection and
selection policy is an access network discovery and selection
function policy.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the load threshold element
comprises a minimum threshold, a maximum threshold, or a
combination thereof.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises selecting the AN when the
load level indicated by the load information element meets the load
threshold element.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises adding the AN to a list of
candidate ANs suitable for selection when the load level indicated
by the load information element meets the load threshold
element.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises not selecting the AN when
the load level indicated by the load information element does not
meet the load threshold element.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the AN is an AN the UE is
currently connected to, and applying the network detection and
selection policy further comprises the UE disconnecting from the AN
and connecting to a different AN when the load level indicated by
the load information element does not meet the load threshold
element.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network is an access
point, a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), or an
evolved UTRAN.
19. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a computer
readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the
processor, the programming including instructions to: receive a
network detection and selection policy comprising a load threshold
element; receive a load information element associated with an
access network (AN); and apply the network detection and selection
policy to the AN, wherein the instructions to apply the network
detection and selection policy includes further instructions to
compare a load level indicated by the load information element with
the load threshold element.
20. The UE of claim 19, wherein the instructions to apply the
network detection and selection policy includes further
instructions to connect to the AN if the load level indicated by
the load information element meets the load threshold element.
21. The UE of claim 19, wherein the instructions to apply the
network detection and selection policy includes further
instructions to add the AN to a list of candidate ANs suitable for
connection when the load level indicated by the load information
element meets the load threshold element.
22. The UE of claim 19, wherein the instructions to apply the
network detection and selection policy includes further
instructions to not connect to the AN if the load level indicated
by the load information element does not meet the load threshold
element.
23. The UE of claim 19, wherein the AN is an AN the UE is currently
connected to, and the instructions to apply the network detection
and selection policy includes further instructions to disconnect
from the AN and connect to a different AN when the load level
indicated by the load information element does not meet the load
threshold element.
24. The UE of claim 19, wherein the load threshold element is a
wide area network (WAN) traffic load threshold element and the load
information element is a WAN traffic load information element.
25. The UE of claim 24, wherein the load level indicated by the WAN
traffic load information element is the load level calculated, by
the UE, using the WAN traffic load information element.
26. The UE of claim 24, wherein the WAN traffic load information
element comprises WAN backhaul uplink load information, backhaul
downlink load information, backhaul uplink speed information,
backhaul downlink speed information, backhaul uplink bandwidth
information, backhaul downlink bandwidth information, or a
combination thereof.
27. The UE of claim 19, wherein the load threshold element is an
air-interface load threshold element and the load information
element is an air-interface load information element.
28. The UE of claim 27, wherein the air-interface load threshold
element is a basic service set (BSS) load threshold element and the
air-interface load information element is a BSS load information
element.
29. The UE of claim 27, wherein the air-interface load threshold
element is an air-interface quality of service (QoS) threshold
element, and wherein the air-interface load level indicated by the
air-interface load information element is an expected air-interface
QoS to the UE at the AN calculated from the air-interface load
information element.
30. The UE of claim 27, wherein the network detection and selection
policy further comprises an air-interface load threshold evaluation
period and wherein the instructions to apply the network detection
and selection policy comprises instructions to perform the
application during the air-interface load threshold evaluation
period.
31. The UE of claim 27, wherein the information on the
air-interface load information element comprises information on a
number of UEs connected to the AN, a channel utilization percentage
of the AN, an available admission control time to the UE, or a
combination thereof.
32. The UE of claim 19, wherein the network detection and selection
policy is an access network discovery and selection function
policy.
33. The UE of claim 19, wherein the load threshold comprises a
minimum threshold, a maximum threshold, or a combination
thereof.
34. The UE of claim 19, wherein the AN is an access point, a
universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), or an evolved
UTRAN.
35. A method for setting a network selection policy comprising
sending, by a network device, a network detection and selection
policy to a user equipment (UE), the network detection and
selection policy comprising a load threshold element, for use by
the UE in applying the network detection and selection policy by
comparing the load threshold element with a load level indicated by
a load information element associated with an access network
(AN).
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the network detection and
selection policy is an access network discovery and selection
function policy.
37. The method of claim 35, further comprising sending, by a
device, the load information element to the UE, wherein the device
is an access point, an eNodeB, a universal terrestrial radio access
network (UTRAN), or an evolved UTRAN.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein the load threshold element is a
wide area network (WAN) traffic load threshold element and the load
information element is a WAN traffic load information element.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the WAN traffic load threshold
comprises a WAN backhaul uplink load threshold, a backhaul downlink
load threshold, a backhaul uplink speed threshold, a backhaul
downlink speed threshold, a backhaul downlink bandwidth threshold,
a backhaul uplink bandwidth threshold, or a combination
thereof.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein the load threshold element is
an air-interface load threshold element and the load information
element is an air-interface load information element.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the network detection and
selection policy further comprises an air-interface load threshold
evaluation period.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the air-interface load
threshold element is a basic service set (BSS) load threshold
element.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the air-interface load
threshold element is an air-interface quality of service (QoS)
threshold element.
44. The method of claim 40, wherein the air-interface load
threshold element comprises a number of user equipment (UE)
associated with an AN threshold; a channel utilization percentage
of the AN threshold, a remaining admission control time available
to a UE threshold, or a combination thereof.
45. The method of claim 35, wherein the network detection and
selection policy is an access network discovery and selection
function policy.
46. The method of claim 35, wherein the load threshold element
comprises a minimum threshold, a maximum threshold, or a
combination thereof.
47. The method of claim 35, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises selecting the AN when the
load level indicated by the load information element meets the load
threshold element.
48. The method of claim 35, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises adding the AN to a list of
candidate ANs suitable for selection when the load level indicated
by the load information element meets the load threshold
element.
49. The method of claim 35, wherein applying the network detection
and selection policy further comprises not selecting the AN when
the load level indicated by the load information element does not
meet the load threshold element.
50. The method of claim 35, wherein the AN is an AN the UE is
currently connected to, and applying the network detection and
selection policy further comprises the UE disconnecting from the AN
and connecting to a different AN when the load level indicated by
the load information element does not meet the load threshold
element.
51. A network device comprising: a processor; and a computer
readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the
processor, the programming including instructions to send a network
detection and selection policy to a user equipment (UE), the
network detection and selection policy comprising a load threshold
element, for use by the UE in applying the network detection and
selection policy by comparing a load level indicated by a load
information element associated with an access network (AN) with the
load threshold element.
52. The network device of claim 51, wherein the network detection
and selection policy is an access network discovery and selection
function policy.
53. The network device of claim 51, wherein the load information
element is sent to the UE by an access point, an evolved NodeB, a
universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), or an evolved
UTRAN.
54. The network device of claim 51, wherein the load threshold
element is a wide area network (WAN) traffic load threshold element
and the load information element is a WAN traffic load information
element.
55. The network device of claim 51, wherein the load threshold
element is an air-interface load threshold element and the load
information element is an air-interface load information
element.
56. The network device of claim 55, wherein the network detection
and selection policy further comprises an air-interface load
threshold evaluation period.
57. The network device of claim 51, wherein applying the network
detection and selection policy further comprises selecting the AN
when the load level indicated by the load information element meets
the load threshold element.
58. The network device of claim 51, wherein applying the network
detection and selection policy further comprises adding the AN to a
list of candidate ANs suitable for selection when the load level
indicated by the load information element meets the load threshold
element.
59. The network device of claim 51, wherein applying the network
detection and selection policy further comprises not selecting the
AN when the load level indicated by the load information element
does not meet the load threshold element.
60. The network device of claim 51, wherein the AN is an AN the UE
is currently connected to, and applying the network detection and
selection policy further comprises the UE disconnecting from the AN
and connecting to a different AN when the load level indicated by
the load information element does not meet the load threshold
element.
61. A method for updating a network selection policy comprising:
receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a network detection and
selection policy comprising a timer, wherein the timer specifies an
update interval for when the UE should next check for an updated
network detection and selection policy; waiting the duration of the
update interval; and checking, by the UE, for an updated network
detection and selection policy.
62. The method of claim 61, wherein the network detection and
selection policy is an access network discovery and selection
function policy.
63. The method of claim 61, further comprising: receiving, by the
UE, an existing policy version element; and after checking, by the
UE, for the updated network detection and selection policy:
receiving, by the UE, a response comprising an updated policy
version element; comparing the updated policy version element with
the existing policy version element; and pulling, by the UE, a
portion of an updated network detection and selection policy,
wherein the portion of the updated network detection and selection
policy corresponds to a difference found by comparing the updated
policy version element and the existing policy version element.
64. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a computer
readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the
processor, the programming including instructions to: receive a
network detection and selection policy comprising a timer, wherein
the timer specifies an update interval for when the UE should next
check for an updated network detection and selection policy; wait
the duration of the update interval; and check for an updated
network detection and selection policy.
65. The UE of claim 64, wherein the network detection and selection
policy is an access network discovery and selection function
policy.
66. The UE of claim 64, wherein the programming includes further
instruction to: receive, by the UE, an existing policy version
element; and after the instruction to check for the updated network
detection and selection policy: receive a response comprising an
updated policy version element; compare the updated policy version
element with the existing policy version element; and pull a
portion of an updated network detection and selection policy,
wherein the portion of the updated network detection and selection
policy corresponds to a difference found by comparing the updated
policy version element and the existing policy version element.
67. A network device comprising: a processor; and a computer
readable storage medium storing programming for execution by the
processor, the programming including instructions to send to a user
equipment (UE) a network detection and selection policy comprising
a policy timer, wherein the policy timer indicates an interval for
when the UE should next check for an updated network detection and
selection policy.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/647,287, filed on May 15, 2012, entitled "System
and Method for Access Network Discovery and Selection Function,"
which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application further claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/665,712, filed on Jun. 28, 2012,
entitled "System and Method for Network Selection with Quality of
Service Consideration," which application is hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to a system and method for
wireless communications, and, in particular embodiments, to a
system and method for network detection and selection.
BACKGROUND
[0004] The use of wireless networks (e.g., WiFi) is becoming an
important component of cellular operation to help operators meet
market demand and increase their competitive edge. Cellular
operators are motivated to integrate WiFi access into their
existing cellular networks, and many existing mobile devices have
dual mode (WiFi and cellular) connection capability. One aspect of
operating a WiFi capable device is detecting and selecting an
appropriate network connection. This network detection and
selection technology may be facilitated through the use of various
technical standards. For example, the WiFi Alliance is currently
defining a Hotspot 2.0 specification to help a dual mode or
WiFi-only device better select an appropriate WiFi network
connection. Other standards, such as IEEE 802.11u or 3GPP may also
help define mechanisms to help devices detect and select an
appropriate network, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN)
in a fixed network. Further, these network detection and selection
technologies may be implemented via policies that may be statically
pre-configured by the operator on a user equipment (UE) or
dynamically set by the operator by periodically sending the UE a
network detection and selection policy (e.g., an access network
discovery and selection function (ANDSF) policy in a 3GPP
network).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] These and other problems are generally solved or
circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by
preferred embodiments of the present invention which are systems
and methods for network detection and selection.
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment, a method for network
selection includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a network
detection and selection policy including a load threshold element,
the UE further receiving a load information element associated with
an access network (AN), and applying the network detection and
selection policy to the AN. Applying the network detection and
selection policy includes comparing the load information element
with the load threshold element.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, a user equipment (UE)
includes a processor and a computer readable storage medium storing
programming for execution by the processor, the programming
including instructions to receive a network detection and selection
policy including a load threshold element, receive a load
information element associated with an access network (AN), and
apply the network detection and selection policy to the AN. The
instructions to apply the network detection and selection policy
includes further instructions to compare a load level indicated by
the load information element with the load threshold element.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment, setting a network
selection policy includes sending, by a network device, a network
detection and selection policy including a load threshold element,
for use by the UE in applying the network detection and selection
policy by comparing a load level indicated by a load information
element associated with an access network (AN) with the load
threshold element.
[0009] In accordance with another embodiment, a network device
includes a processor and a computer readable storage medium storing
programming for execution by the processor, the programming
including instructions to send to a user equipment (UE) a network
detection and selection policy including a WAN traffic load
threshold, for use by the UE in applying the network detection and
selection policy by comparing a load level indicated by a load
information element associated with an access network (AN) with the
load threshold element.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, a method for updating
a network selection policy includes receiving, by a user equipment
(UE), a network detection and selection policy including a timer,
wherein the timer specifies an update interval for when the UE
should next check for an updated network detection and selection
policy, waiting the duration of the update interval, checking, by
the UE, for an updated network detection and selection policy.
[0011] In accordance with another embodiment, a user equipment (UE)
includes a processor and a computer readable storage medium storing
programming for execution by the processor, the programming
including instructions to receive a network detection and selection
policy including a timer, wherein the timer specifies an update
interval for when the UE should next check for an updated network
detection and selection policy, wait the duration of the update
interval; check for an updated network detection and selection
policy.
[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a network device
includes a processor and a computer readable storage medium storing
programming for execution by the processor, the programming
including instructions to send a user equipment (UE) a network
detection and selection policy including a policy timer, wherein
the policy timer indicates an interval for when the UE should next
check for an updated network detection and selection policy.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a typical UE and network
connection operation as is known in the art;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a UE receiving an access
network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) policy as is known
in the art;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a UE implementing an ANDSF
policy including a frequency band selection policy according to an
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a UE implementing an ANDSF
policy including a WAN traffic load threshold element according to
an embodiment;
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow diagrams of a UE implementing an
ANDSF policy including an air-interface load threshold element
according to various embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a UE implementing an ANDSF
policy including an air-interface load threshold element according
to an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a UE implementing an ANDSF
policy including an air-interface quality of service (QoS)
threshold element according to an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a network implementing a
threshold element according to an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a UE implementing an ANDSF
policing including a load threshold element according to an
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a UE updating a network
detection and selection policy according to an embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a computing platform
that may be used for implementing, for example, the devices and
methods described herein, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments
are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however,
that the present invention provides many applicable inventive
concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific
contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely
illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do
not limit the scope of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates typical user equipment (UE 102) and Wi-Fi
network connection operation according to various standards, for
example, Hotspot 2.0, IEEE802.11u, 3GPP, and the like. Various
embodiments may operate according to one or several of the listed
or alternate standards. When UE 102 decides to connect to a
wireless network (e.g., WiFi), the UE first scans for available
hotspots (i.e., access network). In FIG. 1, the access network is
shown as access point (AP) 104, but the access network may be
another form of access network such as a universal terrestrial
radio access network (UTRAN) or an evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN). AP 104
serves as a connection point between the UE and a network 106
(e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN) in a fixed network or a
wide area network (WAN)). Available APs may be connected to the
same or multiple different networks, wherein each AP serves as a
connection point to a single network. IEEE 802.11u allows for the
discovery of suitable APs using an AP's generic advertisement
service (GAS). GAS provides layer 2 transport of an advertisement
protocol's frames between UE 102 and a server in network 106 prior
to authentication. GAS allows unauthenticated UEs to determine the
availability of and general information regarding a particular AP
through the advertisement of certain information, such as, network
106's type (e.g., private, public, for-fee, etc.), roaming
consortium, venue information, and the like. Therefore, GAS allows
UE 102 to determine which APs it may potentially connect to.
[0027] UE 102 may then select a particular AP to connect to using
network detection and selection policies. UE 102's operator may set
these policies by periodically sending a network detection and
selection policy to UE 102. For example, under 3GPP standards, an
operator may set a network detection and selection policy for UE
102 using an access network discovery and selection function
(ANDSF) within the operator's network.
[0028] UE 102 then gathers information about available APs and
implements the network detection and selection policy set by the
operator. Information gathering may be conducted over GAS using AP
104's IEEE 802.11u access network query protocol (ANQP), a
query/response operation. The information provided through the ANQP
typically includes the different features and available services of
network 106. UE 102 may also gather information on AP 104 itself
using various other control messages from AP 104 (e.g., AP 104's
beacon or response probe). After UE 102 determines which AP to
connect to, UE 102 carries out an authentication process, connects
to an AP, and joins the AP's network. Network detection and
selection policies, such as an ANDSF policy, may also set out
parameters for determining when and how UE 102 changes connection
to APs and/or networks.
[0029] Current network detection and selection policies (e.g., an
ANDSF policy and the like) may be overly simplistic and fail to
utilize the full range of available information to a UE in
selecting an appropriate AN and corresponding network. Further,
current methods to update network detection and selection policies
may be inefficient and use unnecessary network resources.
[0030] Various embodiments are described with respect to preferred
embodiments in a specific context, namely a wireless communications
system operating in accordance with various Hotspot 2.0,
IEEE802.11u, and/or 3GPP standards, wherein a network detection and
selection policy may be implemented using a 3GPP standard (i.e., a
network detection and selection policy being an ANDSF policy sent
by an ANDSF server). Embodiments may also be applied, however, to
other systems that may operate in accordance with a set of Hotspot
2.0, IEEE802.11u, 3GPP, or other standards, and a network detection
and selection policy may be implemented according to a non-3GPP
standard, such as a Hotspot 2.0 standard and the like. Embodiments
may be implemented in, for example, 3GPP SA2 specification
(23.402), or CT 24.402, 24.312. Furthermore, various embodiments
are described with respect to connecting to wireless networks via
access points, but various other forms of access networks (e.g.,
universal terrestrial radio access networks (UTRAN) or evolved
UTRANs (E-UTRAN)) may be used to connect to a wireless network.
Various embodiments may also be applied to WiFi access points (AP),
access controller, ANDSF server, WiFi and cellular dual mode UEs,
UEs with Hotspot 2.0 support, and the like.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates an example operation for setting a
network detection and selection policy. The example given shows
ANDSF operation as defined by 3GPP standards. However, other
standards, such as Hotspot 2.0, may be used to set a network
detection and selection policy. A UE 202 interacts with ANDSF 204
through an S14 interface, which allows for IP level signaling, to
obtain a network detection and selection policy from the network
(i.e., an ANDSF policy). The ANDSF policy sent to UE 202 may
contain an inter-system routing policy (ISRP). Typically, an ISRP
includes validity conditions, indicating the time frame during
which the provided policy is valid. The ISRP may further include
one or more filter rules for IP flow mobility and seamless offload
(IFOM). These filter rules may create a prioritized list of access
technologies/access networks that should be used by the UE, when
available, to route traffic that matches specific IP filters on a
specific access point name (APN) or on any APN. A filter rule may
also identify which radio accesses are restricted for traffic that
matches specific IP filters on a specific APN or on any APN (e.g.,
WLAN is not allowed for real-time transport protocol traffic flows
on APN-x).
[0032] The current policies for AN (e.g., AP) selection may be too
broadly defined and may not utilize the full extent of information
made available by current standards in making an appropriate
selection. For example, Hotspot 2.0 standards support multiple
frequency band operation for an AN, which allows a UE to operate in
one of several frequency bands supported by an AN. In current
network detection and selection policy, such as ANDSF policy, there
is no consideration regarding frequency band information.
Therefore, the smallest granularity of current network selection is
per AN, not per frequency band supported by an AN.
[0033] An embodiment increases granularity of access technology
selection and allows a UE to connect to different frequency bands
supported by the available ANs. A frequency band element is added
to the network detection and selection policy set by an operator.
This frequency band element may include the detection of available
bands at an AN and create a policy for selecting a particular
frequency band.
[0034] For example, FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram according to
this embodiment applied to an ANDSF policy. A frequency band
selection policy is added into a ANDSF policy (e.g., to the ANDSF's
inter-system mobility policy (ISMP) and/or inter-system routing
policy (ISRP)). The frequency band selection policy allows a UE to
select a particular band supported by an AN. In step 302, this
ANDSF policy, which includes a frequency band selection policy, is
transmitted by the operator over an operator's cellular network
(e.g., a long term evolution (LTE) network) to a UE. In step 304,
the UE receives the policy and implements the frequency band
selection policy to select a frequency band supported by available
ANs.
[0035] Current network detection and selection policies may also
fail to account for network traffic load. For example, IEEE 802.11u
standards allow an AN (e.g., AP) to send information regarding wide
area network (WAN) traffic load information through the AP's ANQP.
The transmittable WAN traffic information may include WAN backhaul
uplink load information, backhaul downlink load information,
backhaul uplink speed, backhaul downlink speed, backhaul uplink
bandwidth, backhaul downlink bandwidth, and the like. This WAN
traffic load information could help improve load sharing in a
network by preventing a UE from selecting a heavily-loaded network.
However, current network detection and selection policy does not
consider traffic load information for network selection, and
specifically lacks consideration of load sharing cases. Further,
current network detection and selection policies fail to properly
account for situations where the UE may beneficially move to
another network or to move from a wireless connection to WiFi due
to its currently-associated network being overloaded.
[0036] An embodiment incorporates WAN traffic load threshold
element into a network detection and selection policy (e.g., an
ANDSF ISRP and/or ISMP). This traffic WAN traffic load threshold
element may apply to either cellular or WLAN WAN traffic loads. The
specific thresholds to be implemented are determined by operator
policy, but the inclusion of a threshold may improve load sharing
among networks, for example, by preventing a UE from selecting a
heavily-loaded network.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a network detection and
selection policy including a WAN traffic load threshold applied to
an ANDSF policy. In step 402, a network device sends an ANDSF
policy including a WAN load threshold element (e.g., an element
setting a maximum uplink load threshold at 80%). The network device
may be an ANDSF policy server on the UE's cellular network. The WAN
load threshold element may include one or more thresholds related
to network load conditions, such as, an uplink load threshold, a
backhaul downlink load threshold, a backhaul uplink speed
threshold, a backhaul downlink speed threshold, a backhaul uplink
bandwidth threshold, a backhaul downlink bandwidth threshold, and
the like. Further, the network detection and selection policy may
include more than one WAN load threshold element. In the example
shown in FIG. 4, the ANDSF policy WAN load threshold element only
sets one threshold for maximum uplink load at 80%. This ANDSF
policy is sent over the cellular network by an operator and
received by a UE.
[0038] In steps 404 and 406, the UE uses an ANQP query/response to
receive a WAN traffic load information element from an AN. The AN
may be an WiFi AP or some other form of AN (e.g., a UTRAN, or an
E-UTRAN). This WAN traffic load information element may indicate a
wide range of information related to the WAN traffic load level.
For example, the WAN traffic load information may inform the UE
that the WAN uplink load at the AN is at 90%. The UE then
implements the ANDSF policy in step 408 by comparing the WAN load
level with the WAN load threshold. Because the uplink load does not
meet the threshold (actual uplink load is at 90%, which is greater
than the 80% threshold), the UE determines that the AN should not
be selected. The numbers in this example are for illustrative
purposes only; the particulars as to the number and types of
thresholds set in a network detection and selection policy depends
the operator's preferences.
[0039] The inclusion of a WAN traffic load threshold in a network
detection and selection policy allows the UE to determine which ANs
are appropriate candidates for selection. An AN's traffic load
meeting a threshold does not necessarily require the UE to select
the AN. Other considerations set by the network detection and
selection policy may still apply. The threshold merely acts to
create a list of potential candidate ANs the UE could select. In an
alternative embodiment, the WAN traffic load threshold may also act
as a trigger point for when the UE should decide to change to join
an alternative network because the network the UE is currently
associated with has become overloaded.
[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the UE may need to calculate
the WAN traffic load level for comparison against a WAN traffic
load threshold. For example, the network detection and selection
policy may contain a minimum available WAN backhaul bandwidth
threshold. However, the WAN traffic load information element sent
by the AN may not include information regarding WAN backhaul
bandwidth. The AN may instead send the UE information regarding WAN
throughput. The UE may calculate the appropriate WAN bandwidth load
level associated with the AN using known equations and the
information received regarding WAN throughput. In an embodiment,
calculating the WAN bandwidth load level includes predicting and
expected WAN bandwidth load level. The UE may then use the
calculated WAN bandwidth load level to compare against the
threshold.
[0041] Further, current network detection and selection policies
fail to account for available air-interface load information. An AN
may provide information on the air-interface load, for example, via
its beacon or probe response. The AN may be an WiFi AP or some
other form of AN (e.g., a UTRAN, or an E-UTRAN). According to IEEE
802.11-2007 standards, the AN can include the basic service set
(BSS) load information element on its beacon or probe response.
This air-interface load element may include information about the
number of UEs currently associated with this AN, the channel
utilization percentage (percentage of time the AN sensed it was
busy), and the remaining admission control time that may be
allocated to a UE. This air-interface load information may indicate
the applicable quality of service (QoS) for a UE if it connects to
the AN. Currently, network detection and selection policy (e.g.
ANDSF ISRP/ISMP policy) does not consider air-interface information
for network selection.
[0042] An embodiment provides for a network detection and selection
policy including an air-interface load threshold element. This
enhanced network detection and selection policy provides better
AN/network selection by setting air-interface load thresholds for a
UE. The air-interface load threshold may be a BSS load threshold,
an air-interface QoS threshold, a number of user equipment (UE)
associated with an AN threshold; a channel utilization percentage
of an AN threshold, a remaining admission control time available to
a UE threshold, etc. The inclusion of this threshold may allow UEs
to only select an AN that can support an appropriate load
level.
[0043] An alternative embodiment includes air-interface load
thresholds with an evaluation period in a network detection and
selection policy for air-interface load evaluation. Evaluation
periods may be implemented to avoid a ping pong situation (i.e.,
when an UE wants to connect to multiple ANs at the same time). The
evaluation period sets up a time frame for considering applicable
air-interface load information when applying the policy.
Air-interface load information outside of the time frame would not
be considered. For example, a network detection and selection
policy with an evaluation period may require a UE to compare the
air-interface load threshold with the averaged BSS load values
during the evaluation period from an AN.
[0044] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of a network
detection and selection policy including air-interface load
thresholds applied to an ANDSF policy and an AP. In step 502, a
network device sends an ANDSF policy including an air-interface
load threshold element (e.g., setting a BSS load threshold). This
ANDSF policy is sent by an operator over their cellular network and
received by a UE.
[0045] In step 504, the UE uses an AP's beacon (illustrated in FIG.
5A) or response probe (illustrated in FIG. 5B) to receive an
air-interface load information element. For example, in FIGS. 5A
and 5B, this air-interface load information element is a BSS load
information element. As previously discussed, the BSS load
information element may inform the UE about the number of UEs
currently associated with the AP, the AP's channel utilization
percentage, and the AP's remaining admission control time. The UE
then implements the ANDSF policy in step 506 by comparing the BSS
load level indicated by the BSS load information element with the
BSS load threshold element. If the BSS load level does not meet the
threshold, the UE determines that the AP should not be
selected.
[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of UE operation for
implementing a network detection and selection policy including an
air-interface load threshold applied to an ANDSF policy. In step
602, the UE receives an ANDSF with an air-interface load threshold
such as the air-interface load thresholds described above. In step
604, the UE receives air-interface load information from an AN.
This information may be received as an air-interface load
information element such as a BSS load information element. In step
606, the UE evaluates if the air-interface load level indicated by
the air-interface load information meets the air-interface load
threshold from the ANDSF policy. If the load level doesn't meet the
threshold, the UE rejects the AN as a suitable connection point,
otherwise, in step 608, the UE may select the AN.
[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram for network
detection and selection policy enhancement with QoS consideration
as applied to an ANDSF policy. In step 702, the UE's operator
provides an ANDSF policy comprising an air-interface QoS threshold
(e.g., support best effort traffic) to the UE. In step 704, the AN
provides an air-interface load information element to the UE using,
for example, the AN's beacon or response probe. As discussed above,
the air-interface load information element may be a BSS load
information element. In step 706, the UE calculates the expected
QoS level that would apply to the UE if it selected the AN using
information on the air-interface load information element. For
example, the UE calculates that the AN can only support background
traffic, which is lower than best effort traffic. In an embodiment,
calculating the expected QoS level would include predicting an
expected QoS level. The UE therefore decides this AN is not
suitable and selects another network. On the other hand, if the UE
calculates the AN can support best effort traffic (i.e., the
threshold is met), then in step 710 the UE may decide to select
this network.
[0048] The inclusion of an air-interface load threshold element in
a network detection and selection policy allows the UE to determine
which ANs are appropriate candidates for selection. As in the case
regarding WAN threshold elements, meeting the threshold does
guarantee the UE will select the AN because other considerations
set by the network detection and selection policy may still apply.
The threshold merely acts to create a list of potential candidate
ANs the UE could select. In an alternative embodiment, the
air-interface load threshold may also act as a trigger point for
when the UE should decide to change to join an alternate AN (or
join an alternate network) because the AN the UE is currently
associated with can no longer support a desired air-interface
load.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment, wherein the
various threshold elements are implemented on the wireless network
side. In step 802, an AN sends a WAN traffic load information
element and/or an air-interface load information element to a UE
attempting to connect to the network. In step 804, the AN receives
an association/handover request from the UE, and the network
evaluates its load capabilities. This evaluation may be implemented
through setting certain WAN traffic load or air-interface load
thresholds on the network side. In step 806, if the network
determines that it is currently overloaded, it denies the
connection request from the UE. However, if the network determines
it has the load capacity for the UE, it allows the association/hand
over request and connection process to proceed.
[0050] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment where the UE
receives load information (e.g., WAN traffic load information or
air-interface load information) from an eNodeB associated with the
cellular network the UE is connected to. In step 902, a cellular
operator sends a network detection and selection policy (e.g., an
ANDSF policy) via a network device (e.g., an eNodeB) to a UE. The
network detection and selection policy includes a load threshold
element (e.g., a WAN traffic load threshold or an air-interface
load threshold). For example, in FIG. 9, the network detection and
selection policy sets a BSS load threshold. In step 904, the
network device obtains load information from an AN (e.g., an AP)
available to the UE using a query/response protocol of the AN. In
FIG. 9, the eNodeB receives BSS load information, although other
kinds of load information such as WAN traffic load information or
air-interface load information may be obtained as well. In step
906, the eNodeB then sends the load information relating to the AN
to the UE. In step 908, the UE applies the ANDSF policy and
compares the load threshold with the load information to determine
whether to select the AN. For example, if the UE determines the
load level indicated by the load information does not meet the load
threshold, then the UE may decide to select an alternate AN or
remain on the cellular network.
[0051] Typically, there are two ways for the policy to be sent to a
UE: push mode (where the network pushes policy to the UE) or pull
mode (where the UE requests policy from network). Due to push
methods being dependent on network server implementation, which may
be unsuitable for moving UEs, pull methods are more practical and
generally preferred. An aspect of implementing a pull method is the
synchronization of a UE with the network server to obtain the
latest policy. For example, current 3GPP 24.312 standards define an
update policy indication for a UE to determine whether or not to
request an ANDSF policy update. A problem with this approach is the
network server does not know what policy is the UE currently uses
and what updates are needed. In some cases, a UE may only require a
portion of its policy to be updated, instead of the entire policy.
An embodiment creates a new policy indication and procedure
associated with updating network detection and selection
policies.
[0052] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment including a re-sync timer
element in a network detection and selection policy (e.g., an ANDSF
ISRP/ISMP). In step 1002, the network sends a network detection and
selection policy version 1.1 including a re-sync timer. The re-sync
timer acts as a trigger for UE to re-sync its policy with the
network. The re-sync timer has an update interval element which
sets when the UE should next check the network for an updated
network detection and selection policy. In step 1004, the UE waits
the duration of the update interval, and in step 1006, the UE
checks the network for an updated network detection and selection
policy.
[0053] An embodiment further includes in step 1002, wherein the UE
receives a policy version element along with the network detection
and selection policy from the network that indicates the current
existing policy at the UE (version 1.1). In step 1008, when the UE
checks for an updated policy, the network may send a latest policy
version element to the UE indicating the most current network
detection and selection policy known to the network (version 1.2).
The UE uses the latest policy version element returned by network
to compare against the existing policy version element to determine
if an update is needed. Because version 1.2 is fresher than version
1.1, in step 1010, the UE pulls the latest network detection and
selection policy (version 1.2) from the network. In an alternative
embodiment, the UE may also use the policy version element to
determine which portions of its policy is outdated, triggering the
UE to only pull those portions of the updated policy that are
different from the exiting policy at the UE.
[0054] Alternatively, if the latest policy version element
indicates the latest policy is not fresher than the current policy
at the UE (not shown), the UE determines no update is needed. The
UE may then wait the duration of the update interval to check for
an updated policy again. If no update is needed again (i.e., the
latest policy version element indicates that the policy has not
been updated), the UE waits the duration of the update interval and
then checks for a policy update. In an iterative process, the UE
may constantly check the network for an updated policy after an
update interval until the UE determines an update is needed.
[0055] In alternative embodiment, the policy version element may
also be used by the network to determine whether to push a new
policy to the UE. Further, based on the UE's query, the network may
only push the portion of the policy that differs from the existing
policy at the UE.
[0056] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a processing system that may
be used for implementing the devices and methods disclosed herein.
Specific devices may utilize all of the components shown, or only a
subset of the components, and levels of integration may vary from
device to device. Furthermore, a device may contain multiple
instances of a component, such as multiple processing units,
processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc. The processing
system may comprise a processing unit equipped with one or more
input/output devices, such as a speaker, microphone, mouse,
touchscreen, keypad, keyboard, printer, display, and the like. The
processing unit may include a central processing unit (CPU),
memory, a mass storage device, a video adapter, and an I/O
interface connected to a bus.
[0057] The bus may be one or more of any type of several bus
architectures including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, video bus, or the like. The CPU may comprise any
type of electronic data processor. The memory may comprise any type
of system memory such as static random access memory (SRAM),
dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM),
read-only memory (ROM), a combination thereof, or the like. In an
embodiment, the memory may include ROM for use at boot-up, and DRAM
for program and data storage for use while executing programs.
[0058] The mass storage device may comprise any type of storage
device configured to store data, programs, and other information
and to make the data, programs, and other information accessible
via the bus. The mass storage device may comprise, for example, one
or more of a solid state drive, hard disk drive, a magnetic disk
drive, an optical disk drive, or the like.
[0059] The video adapter and the I/O interface provide interfaces
to couple external input and output devices to the processing unit.
As illustrated, examples of input and output devices include the
display coupled to the video adapter and the mouse/keyboard/printer
coupled to the I/O interface. Other devices may be coupled to the
processing unit, and additional or fewer interface cards may be
utilized. For example, a serial interface such as Universal Serial
Bus (USB) (not shown) may be used to provide an interface for a
printer.
[0060] The processing unit also includes one or more network
interfaces, which may comprise wired links, such as an Ethernet
cable or the like, and/or wireless links to access nodes or
different networks. The network interface allows the processing
unit to communicate with remote units via the networks. For
example, the network interface may provide wireless communication
via one or more transmitters/transmit antennas and one or more
receivers/receive antennas. In an embodiment, the processing unit
is coupled to a local-area network or a wide-area network for data
processing and communications with remote devices, such as other
processing units, the Internet, remote storage facilities, or the
like.
[0061] The following references are related to subject matter of
the present application. Each of these references is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety: [0062] IEEE 802.11-2007.
[0063] While this invention has been described with reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other
embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled
in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore
intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications
or embodiments.
* * * * *